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The Blues on all the honor rolls
It had been a long time since that had happened.
The French have won the distinctions at the end of this Six Nations Tournament which finished in second place, their best result since 2011. Romain Ntamack finished best director of the competition, with 57 points scored in five matches (including 3 tries), ahead of Irish striker Jonathan Sexton, 51 points on the clock.
Captain Charles Ollivon finishes, him, best scorer of tests (4).
A first for a forward since the transition to six nations in 2000. Finally, the XV of France presents the best attack of the Tournament with 17 flattened balls in the in-goal.
For 138 points scored.
The best total ahead of Ireland (132) and England (121).
The irish beast finally tamed
Since 2012, the XV of France had beaten Ireland only once (10-9 at the Stade de France in 2016), for 6 defeats and two draws.
Suffice to say that the XV of Clover was the bête noire of the Blues with only one success in nine confrontations.
After the victory, Fabien Galthié insisted on this statistic which shows the value of this performance.
A performance a little more enhanced by the four tests entered.
We must indeed go back to 2008 (26-21) to find the last trace of an offensive bonus from the XV of France against Ireland.
"READ ALSO: No Tournament but great promises for the XV of France
The uncle-tackles
The XV of France still managed a big defensive performance.
Often dominated (only 40% possession of the ball throughout the game), the Blues have long broken the green waves.
With a successful tackle rate of 88%, or 152 out of 173. Strong.
With a few players at the forefront of the fight: Grégory Alldritt and his 24 tackles, Cherles Ollivon 21, Paul Willemse 16 and Bernard Le Roux "only" 14 as the second row of Racing has accustomed us to XXL cutting.
Strong lookouts who, between them, only missed ... two tackles.
Scratches
A regulation which deprives France of the first place in the Tournament
Fabien Galthié pointed this out with bitterness.
“We finish first tied with England (
18 points each
), we are only ahead in the goal average.
We are a little disappointed.
In my time, we would have been first because it was the particular goal-average (
France had beaten England 24-17 in February, Editor's note
) that prevailed.
It's a shame that the rule has changed since… ”We can indeed regret it.
This point of regulation prevents this exciting French team from registering its name on the prize list a decade after the Grand Slam of 2010. An eternity ...
Discipline in the sights
Sixteen penalties (against 4) conceded a week ago against Wales.
Again fourteen (against 7) against the Irish.
Plus a yellow card (the back Bouthier).
Indiscipline is recurrent and deprives the Blues of wider, quieter success.
Fabien Galthié had promised progress in this area, not blaming his players for their excess aggressiveness but demanding more savvy in the engagement on the rucks.
He was not heard.
The video will again run full in Marcoussis to improve this sector.
It's imperative.
France at 14 for 10 minutes
Anthony Bouthier "sacrifices" himself to avoid an Irish try # 6nations2020
The French rear receives a yellow card and will leave his teammates 10 minutes #FRAvIRL
Follow the match live: https: // t .co / jlsEyUURKQpic.twitter.com / GSMcpB1EH1
- France tv sport (@francetvsport) October 31, 2020
We'll have to change a winning team
After two convincing and joyful performances, with the trifle of nine registered tries and high class actions, we can not wait to see this team again.
Unfortunately, this will not necessarily be the case.
The agreement wrenched after strong tensions with the League provides for a maximum of three match sheets for each player in six games.
We will therefore have to turn.
From the next test, November 15 in Vannes against the Fijis?
Certainly.
Will Galthié and his staff change everything, mix with newcomers, or exhaust all the credit of these 23 players from the third test?
Answer Monday.
But it is very likely that a turnover, partial or complete, will begin.
Pity.
Read also
Galthié: "This is only the beginning of the story"
